Two sander comparison 150 Ets vs 150 Ets Ec

[weedsnager]

Anyone use both and can compare ? I was able to handle both today in store, I love the feel of the Ec, but don’t know if I could justify $575 for a sander

 

[tsmi243]

It's not a decision of $575.  It's a decision of $135. 

How many hours/wk do you spend with a sander?  Or hours/day, if it's your day job.  $135 might seem silly in a few weeks, if you don't really like the tallboy.

For me, the EC is worth spending extra, entirely because of the form factor.  The regular ETS isn't- for one that shape, I'd drop all the way to $200 and buy a Bosch or something. 

 

[luvmytoolz]

I have both models and as good as the ETS is, and it is good, the EC wins hands down!

It is the best sander I have ever used, and is a joy to use, even for very long sessions.

I would think of it more as an investment than a cost. Plus one thing I rarely see mentioned is the long term benefits of the design and ergonomics of the Festool sanders, it means you'll be sanding safely and happily for many years more than with a cheaper sander from another brand when the RSI kicks in. I started developing RSI decades ago before switching to Festool, and now I have no issues whatsoever.

 

[ear3]

[member=79501]weedsnager[/member] I just bought another one after my 8 yr old ETS-EC 150/5 broke, if that tells you anything.  The rapid electronic brake may seem a bit gimmicky if you've never used it, but you really come to appreciate it when you switch back to a normal sander and have to wait what now feels like forever for the pad to stop spinning.  And over a long sanding session, where you're moving through multiple grits on multiple pieces of stock, the time saved does add up.

 

[Mortiser]

Buy the EC. You'll never look back.

 

[weedsnager]

I bought the Ets, cause I didn’t want to spend the extra money, but four hours later I returned it for the Ec

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I bought the Ets, cause I didn’t want to spend the extra money, but four hours later I returned it for the Ec

Currently owning or at some time using most of the sanders that Festool makes (sadly no belt sanders)
I can say that the EC formfactor is fantastic. I came from a world of pneumatic sanders, with the small "palm" style feeling the most comfortable, like an extension of your hand. Before the technology that developed the ability replicate that shape, we had the tall, awkward models....no matter the color/brand.
I love my ROs, but that's a completely different animal.

I would really like to see the RTS400 get squished into that shape.

 

[weedsnager]

Yeah the shape and the weight of the Ets just kept me second guessing

 

[peter halle]

I bought the ETS 150/3 years and years ago.  Then once FESTOOL released the edge sanding guide for the ETS125 I bought one just for that purpose.  I probably don't sand in the same durations as many do, and I would probably go the EC route if I were to start all over again if they had the edge sanding attachment for that model.

To each their own.

Peter

 

[Koamolly]

Surprised no one mentioned the 125EC can accept the 6” pad, in case you weren’t aware.  The stroke is less though, 3 vs 5.  Just another option to consider.

 

[weedsnager]

Surprised no one mentioned the 125EC can accept the 6” pad, in case you weren’t aware.  The stroke is less though, 3 vs 5.  Just another option to consider.

Good info, thanks

 

[Cheese]

Here's what Koamolly was referring to...an ETS EC 125 with a 125 pad and the same ETS EC 125 with a 150 pad. This works for the ETS EC 125 sander ONLY.

Also, to shrink the height of the ETS EC sanders, Festool removed the internal aspirator that was used for dust extraction, so these sanders need to always be used with a vacuum. That's the reason this sander is equipped with an electronic extractor signal that detects whether an extractor hose is connected at the power tool.

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[Crazyraceguy]

Yeah, I always wondered what the point of it was though? The indicator shows that the hose is not connected, but it doesn't refuse to run because of it?

That one is old enough to have the older style ribbed connector. August of '15

I wish my DF500 was like that. My original one was, RO90 also.
I just liked that fit better.

 

[nvalinski]

Yeah, I always wondered what the point of it was though? The indicator shows that the hose is not connected, but it doesn't refuse to run because of it?

There is a way to change this behavior if you want by holding the power button/moving the speed dial up and down in a certain way. You can have it refuse to turn on and beep if there is no hose detected/shut off if the hose falls off.

 

[Spandex]

Anyone use both and can compare ? I was able to handle both today in store, I love the feel of the Ec, but don’t know if I could justify $575 for a sander

I've owned both. They both spin a 150mm pad, and they both do the same job of actually removing material. The EC feels like a step up in quality though, and will give you a lot less fatigue if you ever have to sand on vertical surfaces.

I guess the way I'd look at it is that there are cheaper non-Festool 150mm sanders out there than even the 150ETS, so the fact that you're considering these two models is a sign that you're looking to spend a little extra and get something 'special'. If that's the case, I'd say spend more and get the EC, because you will genuinely feel like you have something that stands out for your money.